Eight-Member Forum Gives Indigenous Communities Voice in Carbon Markets

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market named eight members of a new Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities VCM Engagement Forum representing Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania and the Northern Region. The self-governing forum will operate independently within the ICVCM and shape the development of high-integrity voluntary carbon market rules.

The ICVCM announced the members of the IPs and LCs VCM Engagement Forum: Diel Mochire Mwenge and Stella Napanu from Africa; Jagat Bahadur Baram and Mamta Lama from Asia; Fermin Chimatani Tayori and Onel Masardule from Latin America; Leighton Gall from the Northern Region; and Dawn Katovai from Oceania. The Forum held its first meeting in early July 2024 and will elect two co-chairs at its September meeting. Members act in personal capacity representing IPs and LCs from their region.

The Forum emerged from a workshop hosted by the ICVCM and The Nature Conservancy at COP27, where Indigenous representatives identified the need for structured engagement and capacity building in carbon market governance. The Forum's remit includes helping ensure the VCM delivers on Paris Agreement climate goals while safeguarding community rights; identifying IP and LC priorities; providing technical assistance; and strengthening engagement between communities and market participants. The ICVCM's Core Carbon Principles already require projects to secure Free Prior and Informed Consent and maintain transparent benefit sharing.

The Forum will meet every two months and develop a strategic plan to establish itself as a global VCM governance platform. A work programme to strengthen CCP criteria on sustainable development and safeguards is underway, with an updated CCP rulebook due for implementation in 2026. Onel Masardule, interim co-chair, said the Forum will be an important catalyst to ensure IPs and LCs benefit from carbon credit projects and have their rights preserved. The ICVCM Chair noted that IPs and LCs manage vital ecosystem services that are essential to a high-integrity VCM.

Key figure — Next CCP rulebook version due for implementation in 2026